Acts Of The Apostles (36 Of 39)

in Acts 24:2, “And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,”

As we stated previously, those were nice words, but none of them were true, they were simply flattery. Felix's reign was known for riots and destruction. In A.D. 58, Felix's soliders were so forceful in putting down a riot of Jews in Caesaera, that he was replaced by Porcius Festus. What about this man - Porcius Festus? We see:

I. A RULER VERSES 1-5

Festus was a much greater man in some ways than Felix, but like Felix he was persuaded by the crowds more than he was persuaded by justice. Three days after he had taken office in Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem, a metropolis of the Jews, for several reasons:

• First, he wanted to satisfy his curiosity, for he most likely was curious as to what kind of people these were that he would be dealing with.

• Secondly, to establish his leadership position. Knowing something about the Jews there would help him know what to do in leading them.

A. SAME STORY

Verses 1-2, “Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,"

As soon as he arrived in Jerusalem, “...the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him," for he was a politician, and they thought if they told Festus their complaint against Paul, Festus would help them get rid of Paul. They left no doubt in his mind how they felt about the apostle Paul.

Ananias and the Sadduccees wanted him to grant them a favor, not justice. After two years they still were not discouraged, and now having a new governor gave them renewed hope that once again they might be able to have Paul killed. They told him the same story they had told Governor Felix, that story did not stick then, but they now had hopes, with this new Governor, that it would stick.

B. SAME STRATEGY

Verses 3-5, “And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.”

Their strategy, like their story, was still the same. They wanted Paul to be brought back to Jerusalem and when he was brought they planned to ambush them and kill Paul. However, the new Governor, at that time, felt it would be best for Paul be kept in Caesarea and all those who had ought against him, should come down to Caesarea to vent their complaints.

II. A RASCAL VERSES 6-12

A. THE ROMAN

Verse 6, “And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.”

Notice a change in governor Festus. After he spent ten days with that bloodthirsty crowd of Jews, he went back to Caesarea and the Bible states he wasted no time calling for Paul to be brought before him. Festus had gone to Jerusalem with an open mind, but after associating with that crowd of Jews, it seemed as if he could not wait to call Paul up for judgment.

Illus: Some would have you believe it does not matter who we associate with, but if you go in our prisons today, and go from cell to cell, you would find, more than anything else, the influence of evil friends put those men and women behind bars.

And likewise, if you were to examine all the Christians who have messed up lives, you would find the number one thing that brought about their downfall was evil influence.

Illus: A preacher once received a religious periodical that was very negative, the editor was down on other Christians because they did not cross their T's and dot their I's the way he did. As the preacher would spend time reading this paper each week, he found himself becoming just like this editor, and had to quit reading the paper.

We do not need to deceive ourselves, we become like those we spend time with, that can be good or bad. In Governor Festus' case it was bad.

B. THE JEWS

Verses 7-12, "And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove. While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all. But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.”